Having Timer Or Delay Means Patents (Class 417/12)
  • Patent number: 10036572
    Abstract: Technologies for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a booster pump downstream from the sensor, a conduit connecting the booster pump and water source, a flow sensor external to the conduit for sensing water flow within the conduit, and a plumbing fixture downstream from the pump are provided. The technologies enable a controller to couple to the sensor and the pump, and operate in a calibration mode and a control mode. Such operations can increase energy efficiency of the pump and increase operational longevity of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence Halff
  • Patent number: 9996096
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a variable control mechanism configured to regulate power to the at least one electrical load by way of a control knob being user settable between a first adjustment stop and a second adjustment stop. A regulation circuit is configured to establish a pre-determined load power setting when the calibration button is actuated when the regulation circuit is in the calibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Testani, Brian Mueller
  • Patent number: 9989265
    Abstract: Technologies for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from the source, a booster pump downstream from the sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from the pump are provided. The technologies enable a controller to couple to the sensor and the pump, and operate in a calibration mode and a control mode. Such operations can increase energy efficiency of the pump and increase operational longevity of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Lawrence Halff
  • Patent number: 9964325
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an outdoor unit, indoor units, a controller that controls the outdoor unit, and an equipment controller. The equipment controller stores a set lower limit value that is set to maintain a pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure in the outdoor unit at a predetermined value or greater. The lower limit value is set to be smaller as a minimum cooling capacity increases. The minimum cooling capacity is the minimum value of a cooling capacity of an indoor unit arrangement formed by the indoor units. When starting a cooling operation, the equipment controller determines whether or not to perform pressure difference control for limiting decreases in the pressure difference of the outdoor unit based on whether or not the temperature of water flowing into the outdoor unit is less than the set lower limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Imada
  • Patent number: 9958878
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined, prioritized, faults and to emit a wired or wireless fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 9949413
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating structure for a variable speed drive (VSD), a VSD device having the heat-dissipating structure, and a method for controlling the heat-dissipating structure. The heat-dissipating structure comprises: an electronic element array, having a first end and an opposite second end, electronic elements in the array producing heat during operation; a heat-dissipating fan, disposed at the first end of the array and used to conduct cooling air to flow between the first end and the second end to cool the electronic elements in the array; and a control apparatus, for controlling operation of the fan, the control apparatus controlling the fan so that the fan rotates at a first rotation direction within a first time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the second end to the first end, and rotates at a second rotation direction contrary to the first rotation direction within a second time period to conduct the cooling air to flow from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
    Inventors: Yingqiang Wang, Haiyuan Yu
  • Patent number: 9910002
    Abstract: The dry running detection system for a pump includes an ultrasonic transducer (8) designed for arrangement inside a pump housing (24) and electrically connected to a frequency generator (2) producing an electrical signal having a predefined frequency. An analyzing unit (10) of the system analyzes the electrical signal applied to the ultrasonic transducer (8) and is designed to detect whether the ultrasonic transducer (8) is in contact with a liquid or not on basis of the signal level of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Flemming Munk
  • Patent number: 9859697
    Abstract: A watertight electrical compartment for use in an irrigation device can include a compartment body with a chamber, a sealing section mounted with one or more sealing rings, and external threads. A sealing cap mate with the sealing section and/or the sealing rings to seal the chamber. A cap retainer can be advanced over at least a portion of the sealing cap and can have internal threads to be screwed onto the external threads of the compartment body. The cap retainer can also have a stopping feature to keep the sealing cap in its sealed position. The watertight electrical compartment can be used in a wireless flow sensor assembly, a battery operated irrigation controller, and/or a battery-operated central controller device, to provide irrigation control, and/or sensor information, without the need for AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Paul
  • Patent number: 9822780
    Abstract: A scroll pump has a tip seal between an axial end of the scroll blade of one of stationary and orbiting plate scrolls of the pump and the plate of the other of the stationary plate and orbiting plate scrolls. The scroll pump may have a ballast gas supply system and use the operation of the ballast gas supply system to assess the condition of the tip seal. Alternatively, the scroll pump may have two pressure sensors that sense pressure at two locations spaced along a compression mechanism of the pump to assess the condition of the tip seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Calhoun
  • Patent number: 9815446
    Abstract: The operation of an air compressor is controlled to control engine performance to thereby improve the performance of the vehicle. A compressor (4) driven by an engine (3) of a vehicle and supplying compressed air to loads (51-54) is controlled by an ECU (2). A loaded state and an unloaded state of the compressor (4) are switched between each other according to the requirements from the loads (51-54). When the vehicle requires braking force, the compressor (4) is set to the loaded state irrespective of the requirements from the loads (51-54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nabtesco Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Minato, Hiroki Hasebe
  • Patent number: 9810212
    Abstract: A pump apparatus has a downhole pump disposed in a wellbore and has motor at a surface of the wellbore, and the downhole pump is reciprocated in the wellbore by a rod string operatively moved by the motor. A card indicative of load and position of the downhole pump is generated using surface measurements and a wave equation model having a damping factor or two damping factors. Actual fluid load lines are determined from the downhole card for upstroke and downstroke of the downhole pump, and calculated fluid load lines from the load distribution of the downhole data. The actual fluid load lines are compared to the calculated fluid load lines so that at least one parameter of the pump apparatus can be modified based on the comparison. For example, the damping of the wave equation model can be adjusted so that another downhole card can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Victoria M. Pons
  • Patent number: 9802594
    Abstract: A negative pressure controller controls a negative pressure in a vacuum chamber of a vacuum booster by controlling a negative pressure supplier connected to the vacuum chamber. The negative pressure controller includes: negative pressure sensors each configured to detect the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber; and a negative-pressure-supplier controller configured to actuate the negative pressure supplier when one of output values of the negative pressure sensors which is nearest to an atmospheric pressure among the output values becomes nearer to an atmospheric pressure than a first threshold value. The negative-pressure-supplier controller is configured to stop the negative pressure supplier when at least two output values of the output values of the negative pressure sensors become nearer to a vacuum than a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihide Sekiya, Yasushi Murayama, Shoji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9797394
    Abstract: An improved air compressor includes a cylinder fitted with a piston body and an air storage container. The cylinder and the air storage container are detachably assembled to define an air chamber. A metal seat with a through hole is provided on top of the cylinder. A valve plug is spring-biased against the metal seat. The air storage container is provided with a pressure indicator, which includes a tube defining therein a first bore and a second bore, between which a tapered annular surface is formed. When the air pressure within the air storage container exceeds a predetermined pressure set for the air compressor, the pressure indicator allows excess air to flow into the first bore of the tube and sequentially pass through the tapered annular surface and an elongated opening to be released to the ambient environment, so that objects can be prevented from damages due to excessive inflations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Wen-San Chou
  • Patent number: 9759054
    Abstract: A system includes an integrated manifold system including multiple isobaric pressure exchangers (IPXs) that each includes a low-pressure first fluid inlet, a high-pressure second fluid inlet, a high-pressure first fluid outlet, and a low-pressure second fluid outlet. The integrated manifold system includes a low-pressure first fluid manifold coupled to each of the low-pressure first fluid inlets and configured to provide low-pressure first fluid to each of the low-pressure first fluid inlets, a high-pressure second fluid manifold coupled to each of the high-pressure second fluid inlets and configured to provide high-pressure second fluid to each of the high-pressure second fluid inlets, a high-pressure first fluid manifold coupled to each of the high-pressure first fluid outlets and configured to discharge high-pressure first fluid, and a low-pressure second fluid manifold coupled to each of the low-pressure second fluid outlets and configured to discharge low-pressure second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Gay, Farshad Ghasripoor, Jeremy Grant Martin, Adam Rothschild Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9684311
    Abstract: A method of controlling the production efficiency of a well includes determining one or more parameters of a pump model for a pump of the well, determining an inflow rate of liquid into the well, and adjusting a pumping speed of the pump based on the one or more parameters of the pump model to maintain a outflow rate of liquid from the well at a desired fraction of the inflow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventors: Bernardo Martin Mancuso, Kelly Alexander Woolsey
  • Patent number: 9669816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a fault within a brake booster system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include measuring the pressure of a brake booster chamber and the pressure of an inlet manifold, comparing the booster chamber and inlet manifold pressures, determining the faulty source, and restricting the use of an electrical system in case of a fault. In this way, the pressure within the inlet manifold may be reduced or maintained in the event of a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Leroy, Shane Keilthy, Mark Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 9624765
    Abstract: A system for determining rod position in a rod pumped well is described that includes a laser unit mounted on an underside of the walking beam and a reflector plate mounted on the sampson post of the rod pumped well in a position near the laser unit. The laser transmits a beam onto the reflector plate allowing the laser unit to determine the distance between the laser and the reflector plate. The distance between the laser and reflector plate as determined by the laser is transmitted to a controller which calculates the position of the rod in the rod pumped well based on the distance determined by the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Spirit Global Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Raglin
  • Patent number: 9605688
    Abstract: A liquid transfer device is disclosed that has a fluid pump enclosed within a rigid, space enclosing housing. The pump has a strainer with strainer openings that provide a fluid connection between the pump and the inside of the housing. The strainer is located at the lower end of the pump and the housing. There are also openings in the housing that provide a fluid connection between the inside of the housing and its outer surface. The maximum size of the openings in the housing is less than the minimum size of the strainer openings so that the strainer does not clog with debris. A discharge manifold provides a fluid connection between the pump and the outside the housing. In this way fluid is drawn in through the housing openings and then the strainer before being pumped out via the discharge manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Site Drainer, LLC
    Inventor: Antonio Perez
  • Patent number: 9599117
    Abstract: A high volume low pressure (HVLP) turbine assembly includes a housing having a turbine which includes a turbine fan rotatable within a turbine casing. A microcontroller is disposed within the housing, where the microcontroller controls a speed of an electric motor powering the turbine fan. A pressure sensor and an airflow sensing means is in airflow communication with a turbine air outlet. The HVLP turbine assembly does not have a bleeder port in airflow communication with the turbine air outlet. Rather, the microcontroller is configured to reduce the speed of the electric motor to an idle speed after a predetermined time has elapsed, wherein the predetermined time is started when the airflow sensing means indicates a period of inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: John A. Darroch
  • Patent number: 9556865
    Abstract: Method for controlling a refilling motor (2) that drives a hydraulic pump (4) that refills at least one pressure accumulator (8), this accumulator thereafter delivering the hydraulic pressure (P) to a hydraulic traction machine (20) of a hybrid vehicle, characterized in that it takes account both of the rate of discharge of the pressure accumulator (8) and of the time to start (?i) the refilling motor (2) so as to manage this start in such a way that this accumulator more or less reaches its minimum operating pressure level (PI) at the end of this start (t1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOBOOST
    Inventor: Frederic Gourves
  • Patent number: 9556040
    Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Smaidris
  • Patent number: 9556873
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump system having an impeller rotating with first and second magnetic structures on opposite surfaces. A levitation magnetic structure is disposed at a first end of a pump housing having a levitating magnetic field for axially attracting the first magnetic structure. A multiphase magnetic stator at a second end of the pump housing generates a rotating magnetic field for axially and rotationally attracting the second magnetic structure. A commutator circuit provides a plurality of phase voltages to the stator. A sensing circuit determines respective phase currents. A controller calculates successive commanded values for the phase voltages during a running state in response to a desired impeller speed and an actual impeller phase. The controller has a startup interval during which the commanded values of the phase voltages are determined in response to a pseudo impeller phase and in response to a ramping gain factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Masamichi Yanai, Jeffrey H. Campau, Russel J. Corvese, Jason C. Nanna
  • Patent number: 9546652
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a positive displacement pump using readings obtained from a plurality of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be mounted at the suction, discharge and interstage regions of the pump. Signals from the pressure sensors are compared to obtain a ratio that is used to predict whether a cavitation condition exists within the pump. The ratio can be compared to user provided limits to change an operating characteristic of the pump to reduce predicted cavitation. The pump may be stopped, or pump speed changed, when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, historical information regarding the ratio may be used to obtain standard deviation information which may then be used to predict whether gas bubbles are passing through the pump. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IMO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Yin
  • Patent number: 9388813
    Abstract: A method for determining the functional relationship of several pumps which are controllable in their rotational speed, in a hydraulic installation. At least one pump is activated with a changed rotational speed, and at least one functional relationship of the installation is determined from the hydraulic reactions. With a suitable selection of the control and detection of the hydraulic changes, one may determine the functional relationship of the complete installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Carsten Skovmose Kallesøe, Jan Carøe Aarestrup
  • Patent number: 9353956
    Abstract: Technologies for use with a hot water recirculation system containing a hot water source, a flow sensor downstream from the source, a booster pump downstream from the sensor, and a plumbing fixture downstream from the pump are provided. The technologies enable a controller to couple to the sensor and the pump, and operate in a calibration mode and a control mode. Such operations can increase energy efficiency of the pump and increase operational longevity of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Lawrence Halff
  • Patent number: 9341056
    Abstract: A pressure monitoring method comprising providing wellbore servicing equipment comprising a pump, a discharge flow path configured to discharge fluid from the pump, a discharge pressure monitoring system comprising a transducer in pressure communication with the discharge flow path, and an electronic circuit in electrical communication with the transducer and a monitoring system, collecting an electrical signal indicative of the pressure within the discharge flow path, processing the electrical signal to generate an upper pressure envelope signal, wherein the upper pressure envelope signal is representative of a high pressure within the discharge flow path over a predetermined duration of time, and comparing the upper pressure envelope signal to a predetermined upper threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn H. Weightman, Joseph A. Beisel
  • Patent number: 9341055
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing system comprising a pump, a fluid supply flow path configured to supply fluid to the pump, and a suction pressure monitoring system comprising a transducer in pressure communication with the fluid supply flow path, and an electronic circuit in electrical communication with the transducer and a monitoring system, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to generate a lower pressure envelope signal, wherein the lower pressure envelope signal is representative of a low pressure within the fluid supply flow path over a predetermined duration of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn H. Weightman, Joseph A. Beisel
  • Patent number: 9297374
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to filtration in a pump are described. Even more particularly, systems and methods relate to optimizing operating routines of a pump based on the filter used with the pump. A system controlling a pump can receive filter information and process fluid information and select a priming routine for the filter based on the filter information and process fluid information. The pump can be operated according to the selected priming routine that includes a back pressure step to pressurize the filter from downstream. Systems and methods relating to filtration in a pump are described. Even more particularly, systems and methods relate to optimizing operating routines of a pump based on the filter used with the pump. A system controlling a pump can receive filter information and process fluid information and select a priming routine for the filter based on the filter information and process fluid information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer M. Braggin, Shiho Inui, Wailup Chow, Aiwen Wu
  • Patent number: 9227860
    Abstract: A system for sensing and measuring water characteristics or an external factor and initiating controlling the water characteristics of the body of water which may be based on external factor where the controlling of the water characteristics can be achieved through dosing or nondosing of an inactive material through an active material or dosing both an active material and an inactive material in the body of water in response to measured levels of water characteristics to enable the water to be used for either internal or external use in controlling harmful organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: KING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Patent number: 9217809
    Abstract: An antenna 3 of an electromagnetic probe used in investigation of geological formations GF surrounding a borehole WBH comprises a conductive base 31 and an antenna element 32. The conductive base 31 comprises an opened non-resonant cavity 33. The antenna element 32 is embedded in the cavity 33 and goes right through the cavity. The antenna element 32 is isolated from the conductive base 31. The antenna element 32 is coupled to at least one electronic module via a first 34A and a second 34B port, respectively. The electronic module operates the antenna so as to define either a substantially pure magnetic dipole, or a substantially pure electric dipole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Matthieu Simon
  • Patent number: 9174628
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes a transmission employing an electrically-powered hydraulic pump providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit. A method of operating the powertrain system includes monitoring a temperature of the hydraulic pump. In response to the temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, power output from an electrically-powered motor coupled to the hydraulic pump is derated, which includes decreasing rotational speed of the hydraulic pump and maintaining hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ali K. Naqvi, Patrick M. Prihoda, Eric S. Tryon
  • Patent number: 9050957
    Abstract: The operation of an air compressor is controlled to control engine performance to thereby improve the performance of the vehicle. A compressor (4) driven by an engine (3) of a vehicle and supplying compressed air to loads (51-54) is controlled by an ECU (2). A loaded state and an unloaded state of the compressor (4) are switched between each other according to the requirements from the loads (51-54). When the vehicle requires braking force, the compressor (4) is set to the loaded state irrespective of the requirements from the loads (51-54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Nabtesco Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Minato, Hiroki Hasebe
  • Patent number: 9033675
    Abstract: A rotary vane compressor includes a cylinder chamber having an ellipsoidal inner wall shape, a rotor rotatably provided in the cylinder chamber, a vane held in the rotor so as to contact with an inner wall surface of the cylinder chamber along with a rotation of the rotor, a vane slot provided on the rotor and offset on a reverse rotational side of the rotor from a radial line passing over a rotational center of the rotor, and a controller for controlling a rotation of the rotor. The controller reversely rotates the rotor for a predetermined time upon activating the compressor. According to the compressor, chattering can be prevented by surely protruding the vane from the vane slot without providing extra parts. In addition, the vane can be produced with easy working processes at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotada Shimaguchi, Takashi Kubo, Junichirou Terazawa
  • Publication number: 20150132148
    Abstract: A dual speed pump controller includes a motor controller for operating a dual speed motor. The controller includes an operating speed circuit for operating the motor in one of a first speed or a second speed, the first speed being greater than the second speed; an event circuit for operating the motor at the first speed before a predetermined event and operating the pump at the second speed after the predetermined event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Reza Afshar
  • Publication number: 20150098836
    Abstract: A beverage production module includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump, wherein the controller is adapted to operate the pump at a normal operation voltage (U3) and to operate the pump over a predefined time (T1,T2) at a reduced voltage level (U1, U2). A method for operating the pump of a beverage production module is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Guido Piai, Stefan Etter
  • Patent number: 8992182
    Abstract: Times of at least one of on cycles and off cycles of a pump operating in one of a sub-pump mode and a continuous pumping mode are monitored. A determination is made as to whether to switch the pump from the one of the sub-pump mode and the continuous pumping mode to the other of the sub-pump mode and the continuous pumping mode based upon the monitored times of the at least one of the on cycles and the off cycles of the pump. The pump is switched to the other of the sub-pump mode and the continuous pumping mode in response to determining to switch the pump from the one of the sub-pump mode and the continuous pumping mode to the other of the sub-pump mode and the continuous pumping mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Robinson, Keith A. Wells
  • Patent number: 8959899
    Abstract: SCR system for treating the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, this system comprising a line for feeding a urea solution into the exhaust gases and a pump capable both of feeding the urea solution into the exhaust gases and of purging at least one part of the line by sucking a gas therethrough by means of a suction device, this system also comprising a control unit capable of activating and/or deactivating the operation of the pump and that of the suction device in a sequential manner in the course of one and the same purge procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Habumuremyi, Frederic Peucat, Nicolas Duret, Stephane Leonard, Guillaume Zeller
  • Patent number: 8951020
    Abstract: A beverage production module that includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump. The controller is adapted to operate the pump both at a normal operation voltage over a predefined time at a reduced voltage level. The invention further relates to a method for operating the pump of the beverage production module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Guido Piai, Stefan Etter
  • Patent number: 8926291
    Abstract: A liquid pump control system for dry run avoidance and re-prime detection. Pump dry run conditions can be detected with improved sensitivity by measuring pump cycle speed. Pump cycle speed is determined from sensors including pressure sensors, diaphragm end of stroke indicators, check valve movement sensors, and other techniques. A controller closes a valve to reduce pump cycle speed by reducing drive air pressure or by deadheading the pump liquid outlet. When the pump re-primes, the valve is opened, pump cycle speed increases, and pumping volume flow rate increases until a dry run condition is again encountered. Time delays can be introduced to delay shutting down or restarting the pump, for example to give a liquid source tank time to refill. The improved control sensitivity provides improved shut-down and re-start performance, reducing wear on the pump and reducing wasted drive air and energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Orndorff, Scott Driscoll, Jevawn Roberts
  • Patent number: 8920131
    Abstract: A pump control (20) and method are provided for controlling a pump (16) for a pressurized liquid supply system (10). The pump control (20) includes a controller (38) configured to provide at least two selectable modes of pump operation as follows: a flow start mode wherein the controller (38) starts the pump (16) in response to a desired start flow rate of the liquid in the system (10) and stops the pump (16) in response to a desired stopping low flow rate of the liquid in the system; and a pressure start mode wherein the controller (38) starts the pump (16) in response to a desired start pressure of the liquid in the system (10) and stops the pump (16) in response to the desired stopping low flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Randal S. Aspen
  • Publication number: 20140356190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a start-up of an electric vacuum pump for a vacuum system of a vehicle, wherein the start-up can occur according to at least two different start-up modes, i.e., according to a standard mode and according to at least one special mode, wherein in the standard mode the vacuum pump is connected to a supply voltage in a non-clocked manner and in the special mode the vacuum pump is connected to a supply voltage in a dynamically clocked manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Kalbeck, Jürgen Schicke, Christian Märkl
  • Publication number: 20140348666
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable DC cooling fan that performs the dual function of a cooling fan and a sleep aid by generating air movement and white noise useful for inducing sleep. The portable device includes a DC axial fan that blows air in one direction and is under the control of an electrical control system that receives power through an AC/DC adapter. The electrical control system includes one or more user interface switches through which a user can select fan speed and optionally, set the fan on oscillation mode, and thereby simulating airflow and the sounds of a standard oscillating fan without undergoing rotation. The portable DC cooling fan of the invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings on its front and rear surfaces that enable maximum air flow through the device. The invention also provides an article of manufacturer comprising an AC/DC adapter packaged with a portable DC cooling fan of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Todd BONHAM, Dale THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20140322030
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, JR., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20140322029
    Abstract: A pump system features a power adapter and a pump having a signal processor. The power adapter includes voltage settings that respond to a voltage setting by a user and provide a selected voltage. The signal processor receives signaling containing information about the selected voltage supplied to a motor to run the pump, and also containing information about whether a current draw of the pump is lower than a predetermined low current level or is higher than a predetermined high current level; and determines whether to shut off the pump after a predetermined time, based on the signaling received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Flow Control LLC
    Inventors: David L. PHILLIPS, Humberto V. MEZA, Derrick T. TRAN
  • Patent number: 8874383
    Abstract: A pump assembly and maintenance system and method. An inventory of pump components has an identifier to track the pump component and a sensor to gather operating data associated with the pump component. A population of pumps is assembled from the pump components. The operating data are correlated with the pump components based on the identifiers in a network-accessible database. The pump components can include interchangeable pump body modules that are separately tracked, whereby the pumps can be repaired by removing and replacing the interchangeable pump body modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Rod Shampine, Joe Hubenschmidt, Rajesh Luharuka, Hubertus V. Thomeer
  • Publication number: 20140314582
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump and a variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes means for determining a first motor speed of the motor, means for determining first and second performance values of the pumping system, and means for comparing the first and second performance values. The pumping system further includes means for determining an adjustment value based upon the comparison, means for determining a second motor speed based upon the adjustment value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the second motor speed. In one example, the pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a flow rate of water moved by the pump. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a filter arrangement. A method of controlling the pumping system for moving the water of the swimming pool is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20140308138
    Abstract: A system and method for flooded start control of a compressor for a refrigeration system is provided. A temperature sensor generates temperature data corresponding to at least one of a compressor temperature and an ambient temperature. A control module receives the temperature data, determines an off-time period since the compressor was last on, determines an amount of liquid present in the compressor based on the temperature data and the off-time period, compares the amount of liquid with a predetermined threshold, and, when the amount of liquid is greater than the predetermined threshold, operates the compressor according to at least one cycle including a first time period during which the compressor is on and a second time period during which the compressor is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung M. PHAM
  • Patent number: 8840376
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Publication number: 20140271230
    Abstract: A high volume low pressure (HVLP) turbine assembly includes a housing having a turbine which includes a turbine fan rotatable within a turbine casing. A microcontroller is disposed within the housing, where the microcontroller controls a speed of an electric motor powering the turbine fan. A pressure sensor and an airflow sensing means is in airflow communication with a turbine air outlet. The HVLP turbine assembly does not have a bleeder port in airflow communication with the turbine air outlet. Rather, the microcontroller is configured to reduce the speed of the electric motor to an idle speed after a predetermined time has elapsed, wherein the predetermined time is started when the airflow sensing means indicates a period of inactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: John A. Darroch
  • Publication number: 20140219819
    Abstract: A pump system comprises an electric motor, a pump, a converter and a controller. The electric motor has a rotational output shaft that is rotatable in a first rotational direction and an opposite second rotational direction. The pump has a linearly displaceable input shaft that is movable in a first linear direction and an opposite second linear direction. The converter couples the output shaft to the input shaft such that rotation of the output shaft in the first rotational direction translates the input shaft in the first linear direction, and rotation of the output shaft in the second rotational direction translates the input shaft in the second linear direction. The controller repeatedly reverses rotation of the output shaft to produce reciprocating motion of the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Roman, Greg T. Mrozek